Thailand

Stumbling at the first hurdle, Thailand qualified for the 2023 Asian Cup by way of third round qualification. The Qatar finals mark the country’s eighth run in the competition, headlined by a third-placed finish in their nation’s Asian Cup debut in 1972.

What to expect

Originally placed in qualifying Group G, Thailand finished fourth in the group which meant the nation was filtered into the third round of qualification, where they secured two wins that were enough to earn their berth in Qatar, despite finishing second in the group.

Last time out, Thailand qualified from the group stage with one win, one draw and one loss, but were sent home in the Round of 16 after losing 2-1 to China.

Thailand have been placed in Group F for the upcoming tournament, matching up alongside Oman, Kyrgyzstan and a fierce Saudi Arabia side that were the only team to best Leo Messi’s Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, which was also held in Qatar.

The Thais enter the finals on a mixed run of form, picking up two wins, two draws and two losses in their last six games, headlined by an 8-0 thumping at the hands of Georgia in October.

Thailand were also hammered 5-0 by Japan in an Asian Cup warm-up game on New Year’s Day – a match that marked new manager Ishii’s first game at the helm.

Star players

Amongst a crop of experienced players selected for Thailand’s voyage to Qatar stands a young gem in 2002-born Suphanat Mueanta. Already notching six goals across 14 games in his fledgling international career, the upcoming Asian Cup is Muenta’s first real competitive test with his national team and provides the opportunity for the 21-year-old to get noticed internationally.

Muenta impressed in the Thai League (stats) before earning a transfer to Jupiler Pro League side OH Leuven in the summer of 2023. During his time in Belgium, which has been marred by a nasty hamstring injury, the 21-year-old has featured in five top flight games, notching his first goal in European football against KAS Eupen on Boxing Day in his last fielding before the AFC Asian Cup.

In his final season in Thai domestic football, Muenta won the domestic treble with former side Buriram United, scoring 13 goals and notching 16 assists from right wing in the process.

Theerathon Bunmathan (pictured below) is another Thai name to keep an eye on. As the most experienced in the squad with 90 caps, the defender is also the joint-top scorer amongst selected players for the Asian Cup, notching 7 goals across his senior international career.

Bunmathan will reunite with former teammate Mueanta for upcoming tournament, as the pair played together during Buriram United’s relentless pursuit of all three domestic trophies in the Thai League last term.

Manager

Japanese manager Masatada Ishii (appointed 12 Dec 2023) coached many of his current team at Buriram Utd, which he left in December 2023 after guiding his team to back-to-back domestic trebles.

Ishii is the only manager in Thai league history to win a ‘double treble’, achieved between 2021-2023 with many of the players selected ahead of the tournament at his disposal including top names Muenta and Bunmathan.

The Japanese manager boasts an impressive win percentage of 76.47 at his most recent club – the type of glittering form he’ll be hoping to replicate on the continental stage.

Ishii is likely to approach the tournament with the familiar style of play that was so successful at Buriram Utd. Based on 4-4-2 formation and characterised by aggressive tactics, his team will look to use a high press and short counter to break through the centre of the pitch.

Schedule

Thailand vs Kyrgyzstan – 16th Jan 2024 – 17:30 – Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium

Oman vs Thailand – 21st Jan 2024 – 17:30 – Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium

Saudi Arabia vs Thailand – 25th Jan 2024 – 18:00 – Education City Stadium

Squad